I have been waking up numerous times many nights for a couple of months now with my right arm & hand very numb (so numb I can't even move my hand) on & off for the last couple of months and it's really disturbing my sleep & driving me crazy!
When I wake they are so badly numb (from shoulder to finger tips) that I have to get up for awhile and massage and shake them to get the blood flowing again so I can go back to sleep. The Doctors offer no advice (act like they don't believe me or that it is normal). Any idea why this is happening and how I can stop it?
Thanks
2007-02-10 10:18:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Your symptoms may be caused by a condition (actually a group of conditions) called "Thoracic Outlet Syndrome" (TOS). Most doctors know little to nothing about this relatively common condition (usually a long-term consequence of a whiplash type of injury).
TOS can be caused by injury to a variety of muscles in the neck/shoulder region, such as the scalenus anticus (anterior scalene), scalenus medius (middle scalene), and pectoralis minor. These muscles can compress (entrap) various nerves and arteries as they pass through the neck, through the shoulder and into the arm. Symptoms usually do not fit 'normal' patterns that are seen with cervical disc injuries and other causes of nerve pain in the arm/hand region. Many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome are actually misdiagnosed TOS.
You will need to find a good Chiropractor or Neurologist/Orthopedist that regularly treats this condition to help you sort it out.
Best wishes and good luck.
2007-02-10 12:03:58 · answer #1 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My arms and hands go numb when I sleep, too ... and that usually happens when I get them 'under me' or when they are 'clasped too tightly' to my body. If it is seriously bothering you, try sleeping with your arms wrapped around a 'firm large' pillow, on your side, but you should 'turn over' to sleep on your 'other side' at least three times in every night. It's NORMAL, though ... you are just 'ultra-sensitive' to it for some unknown reason ... and that's 'okay' too, by the way.
2007-02-10 10:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you may have a pinched nerve somewhere in your shoulder or neck. I have this same problem, except it's with both of my arms. I have a herniated disk between C5/C6 and this is what causes it. I'm surprise your doc has not referred you for an MRI to check out possibilities. You may want to suggest this just to make sure you know what you are dealing with. Good luck.
2007-02-10 10:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same prob in both arms. hope someone has the answer.
2007-02-10 10:25:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋